Replacing the back seats with a storage box - ideas and build thread

In my opinion the biggest mistake people make is using the wrong materials like super thick plywood and a bunch of 2X4s that take up way too much space... As someone who has built campers and modified cars and other vehicles all my life the lighter the weight the material the better. It literally defines how fast you can brake to avoid an accident, also how much extra you pay at the pump over the vehicles lifespan.

Drives me crazy when people put thousands of unneeded pounds in their campevan and not only risk their lives more than is responsible, but tell me how skilled they are at building a home on wheels that would never be deemed safe enough for a legit RV/camper registration sticker on their door jam.

In my campervan conversion days other than slightly thicker plywood for formica countertops we built cabinetry out 1/8" decorative plywood paneling and 1-1/2" X 3/4" strips of wood with staples and glue and lots of 3/4 X 3/4 cross bracing.

Of course that was a long time ago... These days I'd instead weld up (or bolt together) an aluminum frame with whatever material I have on my metal rack and then I'd rivet black coroplast panels on it because that stuff can be found just about everywhere. For example: Corrugated Plastic Sheets and Panels in Stock - ULINE Then I'd probably used adhesive to put carpet and upholstery over the visible parts.

As for a bed design... Sleeping flat in the back is awful, way too hard and not enough headroom and you lose storage space. First thing I did when I got my gen2 was remove the center console. That way you can slide the front seats forward, take off the headrests and recline them back flush with the back seat and build your bed on that. Way more comfortable.

With this method a decade ago when I first got my gen2 I removed the back seat entirely and was able to barely fit a full size futon mattress in the car. But I had to give up on that because I need my back seat for friends with kids and I never got around to making custom contoured foam that matched the seats to ensure the futon would lie perfectly flat, but if anyone's interested I'd love to build it for you.

 

Rear seat platform - pictures | PriusChat

 

You already took out the seats, just cover it with a blanket or tarp and call it done. No need to try and build anything extra